Business and Finance

Audio: Global Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWF) totals approximately US$5.3 trillion in assets under management, with the second largest being Abu Dhabi's "ADIA". In this interview, based around a recent report highlighting trends in SWF in the Middle East, Phil Blizzard talks to Vikas Papriwal, Partner & Head of Sovereign Wealth Funds & Private Equity, UAE & Oman.

Audio: The newly launched distribution platform from Travelport is aimed at aggregating information from a number of sources to enable travel agents keep abreast of the ever evolving and changing airline landscape. Phil Blizzard talks to Will Owen Hughes, Snr Director, Airline Services, ME&A, Travelport about the focus of the new merchandising platform for airlines in the Middle East.

Audio: Tends in the uptake of e-commerce across the Middle East are highlighted by Emmanuel Durou, Director, Consulting - Strategy, Deloitte Middle East. In this podcast with Phil Blizzard he also talks about the ways e-commerce will evolve in this region.

Audio: The commercial viability across the region of power production from solar energy is the focus of this podcast with Declan Hayes, MD, Transaction & Restructuring Services, Middle East Region, Deloitte. Talking to Phil Blizzard he addresses issues such as the impact of the global economy on the development of a strong renewable energy sector, home-grow talent to develop this sector and the need of external funding.

Audio: Dubai based Just Falafel has opened its first store outside of the Middle East in Covent Garden, London. Phil Blizzard joins Fadi Malas, CEO, Just Falafel to talk about their London presence and their expansion plans in the UK capital, for what is one of the fastest growing franchise operations.

The Abu Dhabi Vision 2030 plan expects revenue from the non-oil sector to account for 60% of the GDP. At the 7th Annual MEED Abu Conference Phil Blizzard talks with H.E. Mohammed Omar Abdulla, Undersecretary, Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, about their economic performance, SMEs, DFI and the new Industrial Development Bureau, along with emerging investment opportunities.

The debut Gulf Capital SMEinfo Awards recognised the success, growth and innovation of businesses in a glittering ceremony held at the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray on Palm Jumeirah. AMEinfo.com caught up with some of the winners - including Suha Mardelli, Bayt.com, John Sammon, Saluki Media, Paul Kenny, Cobone,and Fadi Malas, Just Falafel.

Audio: The importance China, one of the world's fastest growing economies, on the Middle East is the focus of this interview with James Babb, Partner who oversees the China Services Desk, Deloitte ME. Talking to Phil Blizzard he offers an insight into trade between the Middle East and China, focusing on both oil and the non-oil sectors, and talks about which are seeing growth. He also highlights some of the sectors which China is moving into, ones which were traditionally overseen by Western companies.

Audio: The performance of the region's tourism sector is the focus of this interview with Dr Costas Verginis, Director, ME Travel Hospitality & Leisure Industry Leader, Deloitte. Talking to Phil Blizzard he reveals which countries have seen most growth in the first eight months of 2012, those which have faced challenges through regional and global issues and how Dubai has rebounded well - and whether it can be sustained. He also provides a forecast for the region's tourism industry for the rest of the year and 2013.

Audio: Trade between the UAE and the Dallas Fort Worth region of the USA has grown significantly since the introduction of direct flights by Emirates Airline in February 2012. Phil Blizzard talks to The Honorable Betsy Price, Mayor of Fort Worth about the trade and business ties between the two centres, the key industry sectors and future opportunities. She also provides a brief travelogue of her city and region - where you can see a long horn cattle drive and an original Rembrandt masterpiece, amongst many attractions.